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Overview
Laboratory Time and Resources
Interacting With Crime Laboratories
DNA Evidence: Probative Value and Prioritization
Communicating With the Prosecutor
Outsourcing Considerations
Leveraging Limited Resources
Avoiding Steep Costs
Communicating With the Legislature
Evidence Retention Policies
Best Practices for Handling “Cold Hits”
Offender Collection Statutes
Partial Matches
Familial Searching
Rapid DNA Technology
Resources, Guides and Best Practices

Probative Value and Prioritization

Identifying Potential DNA Evidence

Typical sources of DNA include blood, saliva, semen, hair and touch evidence. Sources of DNA can be present on a variety of surfaces including food items, hats, bottles, cans, clothing, glasses, shoes, tape, cigarettes, etc.

To aid in determining what evidence could potentially contain DNA useful to an investigation, investigators should have a basic understanding of the principles of DNA and the processes used by the laboratory to analyze submitted samples.⁷

cigarette butt, which is a possible source of DNA evidence

second possible source of DNA evidence, a cup lid with lip print

third possible source of DNA in hair follicle held by tweezers.

⁷ Simon Ashikhmin, Susan G. Berdine, Mitchell R. Morrissey, and Greggory S. LaBerge, Effectiveness and Cost Efficiency of DNA Evidence in Volume Crime Denver Colorado Site Summary PDF download: 80kB

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